Difference between revisions of "Guy Butler Theatre"
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The [[Guy Butler Theatre]] is one of several venues located in the [[1820 Settlers Monument]] on Gunfire Hill in Makhanda. | The [[Guy Butler Theatre]] is one of several venues located in the [[1820 Settlers Monument]] on Gunfire Hill in Makhanda. | ||
| − | This was originally called the [[1820 Settlers Monument Theatre]] but after it was badly damaged | + | This was originally called the [[1820 Settlers Monument Theatre]] but after it was badly damaged in a fire in 1994, the rebuilt venue was renamed after the founding director the [[1820 Settlers Foundation]] (now the [[Grahamstown Foundation]]), professor [[Guy Butler]]. It is a key venue for the [[National Arts Festival]]. |
This is one of the largest theatres in South Africa, with excellent acoustics, computerised lighting equipment, comfortable seating, air conditioning and an orchestra pit. | This is one of the largest theatres in South Africa, with excellent acoustics, computerised lighting equipment, comfortable seating, air conditioning and an orchestra pit. | ||
Revision as of 11:58, 8 August 2023
The Guy Butler Theatre is one of several venues located in the 1820 Settlers Monument on Gunfire Hill in Makhanda.
This was originally called the 1820 Settlers Monument Theatre but after it was badly damaged in a fire in 1994, the rebuilt venue was renamed after the founding director the 1820 Settlers Foundation (now the Grahamstown Foundation), professor Guy Butler. It is a key venue for the National Arts Festival.
This is one of the largest theatres in South Africa, with excellent acoustics, computerised lighting equipment, comfortable seating, air conditioning and an orchestra pit.
Seating is flexible, thus there is Theatre Seating: 939; Dinners/Restaurant style seating: 400, Cocktails parties, etc : 1000,
History
Designed by monument architect, Frederick Lamond (Jock) Sturrock who initially referred to it as the "Memorial Hall", the planners ultimately turned it into an auditorium seating 920 people with a 50 piece orchestra pit. The stage, with 15.5m revolve, included side and rear spaces with a loading bay. With a 25m high fly tower and a computerised lighting system, the theatre boasted facilities among the best in Southern Africa. There is a ballet rehearsal room and dressing rooms for 68 performers.
Inaugurated with the Monument itself on 13 July 1974, it opened with a CAPAB production of Shakepeare's King Lear, directed by Roy Sargeant, designed by Ken Robinson, with Michael Atkinson as Lear. The theatre is used for dramatic, musical, amateur and professional productions, for conventions, prize-givings and university graduations. It serves as the offices for the 1820 Settlers' Foundation and the Grahamstown Festival Committee. It is also the hub of the annual festival.
Extensively refurbished since the fire gutted it in 1994, improvements to the auditorium include: state-of-the-art lighting and sound technology, significantly improved acoustics, a new 700 squre metre stage floor with loading access optimised, and 941 fireproof seats. After being rebuilt, the venue was renamed the Guy Butler Theatre
Sources
http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1820_Settlers
Boltt J. Fire damage to the 1820 Settlers' National Monument. Grahamstown Foundation Media Office, April, 1996.
Butler G. 1820 Settlers Monument Neville, T. More lasting than bronze: a story of 1820 Settlers.
(NELM)
Mail & Guardian, 16 September 1994
Websites:
http://www.foundation.org.za/monument/index.php
the Wikipedia entry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Arts_Festival
For more information
See the 1820 Settlers Monument, Grahamstown Foundation and the Grahamstown Festival
See also Festival
http://www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/
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